Would you please explain John 12:31?

In John 12:23-36, the Lord Jesus is speaking of His impending death. In verses 23-24, the Lord says specifically, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Of course, He was speaking of the necessity of His death in order to bring life to others.

Now let’s read the Lord’s words in verses 31-32, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

“Now is the judgment of this world.” In crucifying the Lord of Glory, the world pronounced judgment against Him and His claims. In reality, they would be the ones to be judged because of their rejection of the Lord. The Lord Jesus speaks victoriously by stating that the time had come when this world, which is opposed to Him and is under the power of Satan (by their own choice), is to be conquered and subdued to Himself.

“Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” Satan is called the “prince” in Ephesians 2:2, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” He is also called the “god of this world” in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Indeed, Satan thought he could defeat the Lord Jesus by killing him on the cross. He had no idea of the purpose of the cross. We read in 1 Corinthians 2:8, “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Instead of Satan defeating the Lord at Calvary, the Lord defeated Satan! We read of Satan’s ultimate defeat in Genesis 3:14-15, “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; IT SHALL BRUISE THY HEAD, AND THOU SHALT BRUISE HIS HEEL.” On the cross, the Lord’s heel was bruised, but Satan’s head was bruised, or crushed. Such was the power of the cross!

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth…” The Lord here speaks of the manner of His death…lifted up on a cross. This goes along with what the Lord said to Nidodemus in John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” He was lifted up between Heaven and earth to die!

“…will draw all men unto me.” There are two schools of thought concerning this remark of the Lord. It could mean that it is now that all men are drawn into a place of responsibility to the Lord. It is to Him we must give account. It is to Him we must bow for salvation. OR, it means that the Lord will make the way open by the cross, so that all men may come. He provides a way for all men to come to God through His death on the cross. Either way, we see the beauty of the truth of John 14:6 so clearly. That is where the Lord Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Satan is a defeated foe. To follow him is to follow him to Hell. Victory over sin, death, and Hell is found ONLY in believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus? (321.6)